May 25

May 25 Your Ticket to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour

Written by Madison Lutz

Was that title a bit misleading? Yes. But don’t blame me! Taylor is the one who taught me all about the importance of a strong hook. So no, I can’t get you tickets to the Eras tour. I can however give you one Swiftie’s take on reading your way from debut to Midnights!

Taylor Swift

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I’m not going to lie, finding an option for debut was TOUGH. But when fellow bookseller Bex offered up the idea of using a Sarah Dessen book I knew it was perfect. Around the time Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut album I was a wee thing only in 5th grade but I distinctly remember the author that my Taylor-aged older sister was obsessed with at the time—Sarah Dessen. Even more perfect? This specific book came out the same year as Taylor’s first album.

Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher (Out Nov. 28, 2023) and The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider

I gave myself a pass here to choose two books with similar vibes because my first choice is not out until later this year. (Please forgive me for teasing y’all like this!) When I think Fearless I cannot help but first think of one of Taylor’s most iconic music videos of all time—Love Story. It’s romance, it’s magic, it’s young love, it’s whimsical, it’s Fearless. Although neither of these books are based off of Shakespeare like Love Story I think they capture the same energy of figuring out love for the first time, the messy ups and downs of growing up, and a bit of escapism.

Speak Now

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Yes, the title is a reference to a Taylor Swift song distinctly NOT on Speak Now but considering I would describe this book as John Tucker Must Die set on a Bachelor style reality TV show for teens with a big emphasis on drama and revenge…you can totally understand why I had to choose it for Speak Now! Imagine how good it would feel to team up with all of your shitty ex’s’ exes to take him down and then also falling in love with one of those said ex’s exes in the process. That’s this book.

Red (Taylor’s Version)

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

My decision to choose this book for the Red era stems from two songs in particular off the album, All Too Well (obviously) and Begin Again. This story starts off the heels of a devastating breakup where our main character was betrayed by the man she thought was the love of her life. Turns out—he was always only in it for himself. Throughout the books she’s trying to write a new love story both literally (she’s a romance writer) and figuratively as she tentatively explores a new love interest. Only one problem. The new guy? Yeah, he’s dead. How do you fall in love again when it feels like romance is D.O.A.

1989

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

This is the book that I feel like post-Red, moving to NYC, girl squad, finding herself, 2014 Taylor would have been reading while writing 1989. I think this book directly speaks to that 20-something girl who moves to the city a little bit messy but ready to find a new version of herself. Reflective and funny, this book is for all the new romantics.

Reputation

Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn

Now you might look at this cover and go, Reputation? Really?? But here me out! I personally think that Reputation is one of Taylor’s most romantic and love filled albums—it’s sexy, honest, and about a private romance that teaches you that love is still possible. Enter Georgie All Along, after a major life upheaval Georgie heads back to her hometown to figure out how to make a comeback. The old Georgie can’t come to the phone right now, she’s dead. Then she meets Levi, onetime town troublemaker with a bad *reputation*. This love story was my first 5 star read of the year and is a great comfort read for when you are disappearing from the world and in your reputation era. Plus there’s just the right amount of spice for the “Dress” stans reading this.

Lover

How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

For the Lover era, I turned to fellow Swiftie, bookseller, and recent Humans of New York celebrity—Genni. Genni is not only all of those things but perhaps most famously a massive romance lover. Here’s how she kindly responded to my texts asking for her to feature on this blog post:

“Honestly, the first thing that came to mind was How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder.

Post-reputation sinks for both leads, they enter a fake relationship (that becomes real but they’re scared to share and it’s so new!). One tries to bail but the other fights for their relationship and they live HEA (happily ever after).”

Taylor may have burned down the lover house but as someone who still mourns Loverfest—this era will always live on in our hearts.

folklore

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

With songs like “the last great american dynasty” and “betty” something about Folklore undeniably screams vintage Americana energy—like golden age America. Does anyone else remember when Taylor Swift dated Connor Kennedy? At the same time with songs like mad woman and my tears ricochet there’s a thread of anger that underscores much of the album. When Women Were Dragons is a magical realism/fantasy take on the 1950s that explores feminine rage and what happens when women refuse to be small.

evermore

Weyward by Emilia Hart

SUMMON THE DEMONS B*TCH! (iykyk) evermore feels even more fantasy-coded than folklore to me. As Taylor says, she knew that her time in the woods wasn’t over and instead went deeper. This book does exactly that. Weaving the story of three different women over the course of five centuries Weyward explores the connection between us and the natural world, witchcraft, and the magic of women to overcome the expectations put on them by men. This book and this album share stories of abusive relationships, running away, and choosing to pursue yourself rather than a relationship.

Midnights (3AM Edition)

Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell

This collection of poetry found me at a particularly dark period in my life. It’s divided into sections based on times you may really need to read them and feels a lot like Taylor writing Midnights about 13 sleepless nights throughout her life. Even as someone who doesn’t read a lot of poetry, this book felt emotionally raw and accessible at times when I really needed comfort or commiseration. Plus the title is Pillow Thoughts! It couldn’t be any more perfect! If you need more convincing—here are two lines from the chapter called “if you are soul-searching”: “Never will there be a greater war than the one you hold with yourself.” “I dreamed of love and it gave me too many sleepless nights.”